Music Department Outreach and Events

The APSU Department of Music hosts and organizes a number of outreach programs that
are available to student musicians throughout the state. Music majors work with APSU
faculty and guest clinicians in a variety of capacities in each event. Check the Music Department Home Page for specific information about each event in the semester in which it is offered,
or e-mail the contact person for additional information.

APSU Honor Band: Available to high school instrumentalists (wind and percussion) who are nominated
for participation by their band directors. Participants audition for one of two ensembles
that rehearse over the course of a weekend concluding with a Saturday evening performance.
Ensembles are conducted by guest clinicians, and workshops are available for band
directors who have students participating in the ensembles. APSU students lead sectionals,
work as aides and guides throughout the day, and participate in the band director
clinics. Contact Person: Dr. Gregory Wolynec / Semester: Spring.

Mid-South Marching Invitational: A marching band competition available to high school programs. Prior to the event,
APSU students plan the entire day’s logistics, and work as runners, guides, hosts,
and manage many of the behind-the-scenes administrative aspects during the program.
The Governor’s Own Marching Band (GOMB) also performs for the high-school ensembles
in an evening exhibition. Contact Person: Mr. John Schnettler / Semester: Fall.

The Honor Orchestra Festival: Available to high school student string players upon recommendation of the orchestra
director or private teacher. Students participate in full-ensemble rehearsals, and
sectionals led by APSU string faculty over the course of a weekend concluding with
a Saturday afternoon performance. Ensembles are conducted by guest clinicians, and
workshops are available for directors and chaperones that have students participating
in the ensembles. APSU students assist in leading sectionals, work as aides and guides
throughout the day, and participate in the director clinics. Contact Person: Dr. Emily Hanna Crane / Semester: Fall.

North Tennessee Concert Festival: A band and orchestra competition available to middle school and high school ensembles.
This event is organized by the APSU music student organizations Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma
Alpha Iota. Students work as runners, guides, hosts, and manage many of the behind-the-scenes
administrative aspects of the program. Contact Person: Dr. Gregory Wolynec / Semester: Spring.

Choir Fest: Available to middle and high school vocalists who are nominated for participation
by their school ensemble directors. APSU Choral ensembles perform alongside top high
school choirs. Participants rehearse with guest clinicians and APSU faculty over the
course of a day, and perform in an afternoon concert with the APSU Choral ensembles.
APSU students work as aides and guides throughout the day, and perform in the concert.
Contact Person: Dr. Korre Foster / Semester: Fall.

Big Sing: The Big Sing is an invitation-only event in which two high-performing high school
choirs are invited to campus. The choirs rehearse under the direction of APSU Choral
Conductor, Dr. Korre Foster and a guest clinician. The day concludes with a joint
performance of the high school choirs performing with the APSU Choral Union. APSU
students work as aides and guides throughout the day, and perform in the concert.
Contact Person: Dr. Korre Foster / Semester: Spring.

Homeschool Music Program: The APSU Department of Music offers an array of music classes and ensembles to homeschool
students throughout Middle Tennessee. Classes include Music Play (infants through
age 5), General Music Class (5-7), Elementary Honor Choir (8-11), and Beginning band
(10 - 13). Classes and ensembles are led by senior-level music education majors and
graduate students, and supervised by Dr. Eric Branscome. Additional information is
available here. Contact Person: Dr. Eric Branscome.

APSU Preschool Music Instruction: The APSU Music Department teaches music lessons to the 4-year old class at the APSU
Child Learning Center, a day-care located on campus, for the children of APSU faculty,
staff, and students. APSU students lead songs and activities, and provide musical
demonstrations through instrumental and vocal performances. Contact Person: Dr. Eric Branscome / Semester: Fall and Spring.

Children’s Concert Series: Each fall semester, the Gateway Chamber Orchestra, a Clarksville-based professional orchestra under the direction of Dr. Gregory Wolynec,
programs a concert of elementary-appropriate musical selections. Students from local
elementary schools are invited onto the APSU campus for a field-trip to hear the orchestra
perform, and learn additional information about the music, instruments, composers,
and other elements. APSU students serve as guides to visiting schools and help coordinate
many of the behind-the-scenes aspects of the program. Contact Person: Dr. Eric Branscome, Children’s Concert Coordinator /Dr. Gregory Wolynec, Gateway Chamber Orchestra Director / Click here for additional information about the GCO.

Camp Granada (Summer Music Day Camp) Camp Granada is a music day-camp program for students entering
the 1st through 6th grades. The week-long program offers the highest quality music education in a child-centered
environment that encourages participation, stimulates creativity, and focuses on fun.
Since 2000, it has given thousands of musically gifted and interested students a chance
to further their interests in an active and exciting camp environment. Camp Granada
is offered through the summer programs through the Community School of the Arts. APSU
students work as camp counselors and instructors throughout the week. Contact Person: Dr. Eric Branscome, Camp Granada Director.

Semester: Summer, with registration beginning in late Spring.

APSU Community School of the Arts: The Community School of the Arts offers private lessons and ensemble experiences
to students throughout the community. APSU students teach vocal and instrumental lessons,
and direct a selected number of the ensembles. Additional programs are available in
theatre, art, dance, and creative writing.